Ontario County voters have a Valentine’s Day deadline if they want to change their party enrollment before the June primary.
The Ontario County Board of Elections says Saturday, Feb. 14, marks the cutoff to update party enrollment for the June 23 primary election.
New York uses a closed primary system. That means voters must be enrolled in a political party to vote in that party’s primary election.
Election officials said enrollment change requests must be received by the Board of Elections by Feb. 14 to take effect for the June primary. Any changes received after that date will not take effect until seven days after the primary.
To help voters meet the deadline, the Ontario County Board of Elections office will be open Saturday, Feb. 14, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Voters can change their enrollment online through the New York State Board of Elections’ voter registration portal at elections.ny.gov until 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 14. Changes can also be made through the MyDMV portal at dmv.ny.gov, though that deadline is 1:59 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 13.
Voters may also submit a paper voter registration form in person or by mail to the Ontario County Board of Elections at 74 Ontario Street in Canandaigua. Officials note mailed forms must be received by Feb. 14, making in-person delivery the safer option.
Paper forms are available at post offices, public libraries, and the Board of Elections office. Voters with questions or who need a form mailed to them can call 585-396-4005.
Voters unsure of their current enrollment status can check online at voterlookup.elections.ny.gov.
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